Republic of the Philippines

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education
Division of Maguindanao Del Sur
District of General S.K. Pendatun
BAI TEMBABAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

WRITTEN REPORT IN

UNDERSTANDING, CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIETY

Reported by:

LUMBATAN, ROHAIDA S.

MANGELEN, JOHAINA M.

Submitted to:

JUHNIA P. SILO
 Theoretical Perspectives on Society

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you should be able to:

• Describe Durkheim’s functionalist view of society

• Summarize the conflict theorist view of society

• Explain Marx’s concepts of class and alienation

• Identify how symbolic interactionists understand society

Warren Buffett’s ideas about taxation and spending habits of the very wealthy are
controversial, particularly since they raise questions about America’s embedded system of class
structure and social power. Tree thinkers form the base of modern-day perspectives. Émile
Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber developed different theoretical approaches to help us
understand the way societies function.

Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) was a key figure in establishing the functionalist perspective in
sociology. This approach views society as a complex system where all parts work together to
maintain stability and social order. Durkheim's theories highlighted the interconnectivity of
societal elements and their collective contribution to the functioning of society.

Collective Conscience

Durkheim argued that society is greater than the sum of its parts. He distinguished between
individual and collective behavior, introducing the concept of the "collective conscience"—the
shared beliefs, morals, and attitudes that guide behavior. This collective conscience ensures
predictability in actions and reinforces social norms through mechanisms like social isolation
and ridicule for non-conformity.

Social Integration and the Organismic Analogy

Drawing from Comte and Spencer, Durkheim likened society to a living organism where each
part plays a vital role. He emphasized the importance of social integration—the strength of ties
within social groups—as essential for cohesion. Deviant behavior, though disruptive, is
necessary as its punishment reaffirms societal values.

Mechanical and Organic Solidarity

In his book The Division of Labor in Society (1893), Durkheim described the evolution of
societies from mechanical to organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity, common in preindustrial
societies, is maintained by a collective conscience and shared values. As societies industrialize,
they shift to organic solidarity, characterized by a specialized division of labor and acceptance
of diverse values.

Anomie and Social Change

Durkheim warned that the transition to organic solidarity can lead to anomie, a state of
normlessness and social alienation. Anomie occurs during times of social upheaval, such as
economic crises. However, Durkheim believed that advanced organic solidarity would
eventually stabilize society through the redevelopment of shared norms.

Karl Marx and Conflict Theory

Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a seminal social thinker whose theories have significantly
influenced modern sociology. His conflict theory posits that societal change is driven by
conflicts arising from economic inequalities. Marx's key concepts include the "base and
superstructure" model, class struggle, alienation, and false consciousness.

Base and Superstructure

Marx believed that a society's economic base, or its mode of production, fundamentally shapes
its superstructure, which includes culture, institutions, and politics. The economic base
determines societal values, laws, and norms.

Class Conflict
Marx saw societal change as the result of conflicts between classes. The primary conflict in
capitalist societies is between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the
proletariat (workers). He argued that history is marked by these class antagonisms, leading to
revolutionary changes when one class dominates another.

Industrialization and Exploitation

During the Industrial Revolution, Marx observed that industrial employers exploited workers.
The harsh conditions, long hours, and use of child labor exemplified the bourgeoisie’s
dominance. This exploitation led Marx and his colleague Friedrich Engels to criticize capitalism
as the "dictatorship of the bourgeoisie."

Alienation

Marx identified four types of alienation in modern industrial society:

Alienation from the product of labor: Workers do not own or have a connection to the
products they create.

Alienation from the process of labor: Workers have no control over the production process and
must follow strict instructions.

Alienation from others: Workers compete against each other, reducing cooperation.

Alienation from oneself: Workers lose a sense of identity and pride in their work, becoming
mere cogs in the industrial machine.

False Consciousness and Class Consciousness

Marx introduced the concept of false consciousness, where workers adopt beliefs that are not
in their best interest, perpetuating their exploitation.
Max Weber and Symbolic Interactionism

Max Weber, a significant figure in sociology, focused on societal changes due to

industrialization.He shared concerns with Marx and Durkheim about industrialization's negative
effects on individuals.

Rationalization:

• Central to Weber's analysis, rationalization prioritizes logic and efficiency over morality or
tradition.

• Capitalism exemplifies rationality, leading to efficiency but potentially causing negative effects
when extreme.

• Charlie Chaplin’s film Modern Times illustrates the extreme conditions of rationality through
repetitive tasks leading to "repetitive stress syndrome."

Individual Experience and Symbolic Interactionism:

• Weber focused on individual experiences of societal divisions rather than the divisions
themselves.

• Symbolic interactionism, based on Weber’s ideas, emphasizes individual viewpoints and their
relation to society.

• Weber introduced the concept of the "iron cage," where individuals feel trapped by
institutions and bureaucracy, leading to the "disenchantment of the world."

Modern Society and Rationalization:

Rationalization in modern society replaces family-owned stores with supermarkets, local

eateries with chain restaurants, and independent businesses with superstores and shopping
malls.